Taking rear caliper off 1978 Kawasaki 1000 LTD

Wanting some information on removing rear caliper off my bike? Do you have to remove rear wheel to replace the pads on the rear?

No. You need only to pull the axle far enough out that the caliper can be removed.

Too bad you don’t have a service manual for this bike or you’d know the answer. ...That was a hint....

To remove the rear wheel brake pucks, no caliper removal is needed. Just remove the cover, pull the clips off the pins, pull the pins out, push the tension/rattle springs away and pull the pucks out with something like needle nose pliers. The pucks can be pulled right out the top. 
However, to remove the caliper/carrier assembly requires way more work and axle removal. 

Missionkz is correct. Which answer you choose depends in part on what your goal is. If all you want to do is replace the pads, then just remove the old ones, slide in the new ones and ride.
If you also want to remove all the old brake dust and crud, pulling the caliper will make that much easier.
If the caliper has not been overhauled in the last four or five years, then you should consider replacing the seals and cleaning everything up really well. Carefully inspect the flexible hose, replace if old and cracking. New fluid should also be on the list here. If you are doing this, the master cylinder should be rebuilt as well.
There may be a PDF of the factory manual under the Articles tab.

Replaced the rear pads... What a PITA......Replaced the front pads too. that was nooo problem. Waitin on the front brake lines from Z1.. You all have a great and safe day.... Perry

What was the PITA about? 
Should not have taken more then 20 mins to a half hour to do rear brake pucks. 

MissionKZ , My bike on the rear and front has no cover. In the service manual  I see where it says take off cover on the rear caliper... My caliper is nothing like that one. You do have to take caliper off rear and front..Here are some pictures of my 1978 Kawasaki 1000 LTD u can look at the pictures front caliper and rear caliper there is no cover to take off!! I also see where they say take the front wheel off to replace the pads?? Lots easier for me to take the two bolts on the caliper remove caliper , replace the pads ,then reinstall the caliper instead of removing the wheel then replacing the pads??? .   
   
MissionKZ , I do have the service manual for my bike PAPER BACK HARD COPY and on my computer (PDF)

My bike is USA model if that makes a difference....

According to the parts diagram, the easier to service rear caliper with the cover came out in 1979.

I bought my 1977 KZ1000A in late 1976, before Xmas of 1976 and picked it up from the dealership in late winter of 1977. I have been the sole owner of it... always. 
It was made in Japan in October if 1976.
The serial number is .... 6828. 
It has always had the rear caliper/carrier assembly with the top cover for easily replaceable rear brake pucks. 
I have assumed from that point on, they all did. 
No idea where that other info about the 1979 on, rear cover caliper/carrier came from, but I can assure you it is untrue in my case and the same with my B model KZ1000 LTD. 

It seems odd, but unlike the 1977 KZ1000-A the rear brake caliper on the 1978 KZ1000 LTD is the closed type like my 1977 KZ650-C1.  Ed

Ed  is showing  the  right  caliper for the 78 LTD

Just like mine and if you want to see a example go 

to our home page and look at the August Bike of the Month 

Other than the stainless steel brake line the rear brake is factory

Dave